DRINKING WATER
AEC System Proven Effective For Chloride Removal
In two bench-scale tests, a new technology effectively removed up to 99% of chlorides and 97% of total dissolved solids in a single pass. This solution offers a commercially viable alternative to traditional treatment methods.
DRINKING WATER CASE STUDIES AND WHITE PAPERS
-
![29708_XYL_SustainabilityReport-WEB_ACKEY-1]( "Water For A Healthy World")
Water For A Healthy WorldWe are pleased to present Xylem’s ninth annual Sustainability Report, which describes our efforts in 2019 to solve global water challenges and support a healthy world. The How We Think About Sustainability section of this report explains the connection between current and emerging issues of water scarcity, water systems resilience to climate change and other water challenges and water affordability, and Xylem’s pivotal role in addressing these issues. We close out our goals set in 2014 and share our initial progress report against our 2025 goals, which we introduced in 2019, including Signature Goals designed to tackle some of the world’s most pressing water issues.
-
![High-Flux Polymeric Membrane]( "High-Flux Polymeric Membrane For Industrial Water Separation")
High-Flux Polymeric Membrane For Industrial Water SeparationWater is essential to numerous industries such as chemical manufacturing, automotive production, oil and gas refinery and power generation, yet the increasing scarcity of this precious resource makes its recovery from these activities more critical than ever.
-
![EveryDropCounts.jpg]( "Every Drop Counts")
Every Drop CountsThe fast-growing city of Lincolnton, North Carolina, installs new metering system that’s addressing “meterbox blindness” – and quickly recovering lost revenue in the process.
-
![earthquake]( "Preparing For “The Big One” – Protecting The Nation's Water Infrastructure")
Preparing For “The Big One” – Protecting The Nation's Water InfrastructureWhat can be done to minimize potential losses from an earthquake? One solution is earthquake-resistant water infrastructure. AMERICAN introduced its Earthquake Joint System in 2015. In 2016, a study by Cornell found the system can withstand ground ruptures in excess of those experienced during some of the world’s most catastrophic earthquakes.
-
![dresser-style-coupling]( "Quick And Easy Pipe Repair In Virginia Saves Thousands Of Dollars")
Quick And Easy Pipe Repair In Virginia Saves Thousands Of DollarsLearn how JCSA efficiently replaced ten dresser-style couplings on a 16" steel pipe spanning a 600-foot bridge using the versatile HYMAX VERSA coupling, enabling a quick and cost-effective repair without removing the pipe.
-
![iStock-1252896490-water-drinking-child]( "Denver Water Sets The Stage For Sweeping LSL Replacements, Partners With 120Water For Modern Sample Management")
Denver Water Sets The Stage For Sweeping LSL Replacements, Partners With 120Water For Modern Sample ManagementLearn how Denver Water is streamlining their pre/post LSL replacement water sampling and pitcher/filter distribution programs with 120Water! As more systems begin verifying and prioritizing replacement of lead service lines, Denver Water serves as a great example of what it means to provide faster and seamless results to residents.
-
Ozone System Delivers For Miramar Water Treatment Plant Upgrade And Expansion Project
A combination of growing demand, aging infrastructure and regulatory requirements acted as drivers for a new ozone system at the Miramar Water Treatment Plant in San Diego, CA.
-
Clearing Up Misconceptions About Turbidimeter Performance And Calibration
There is little doubt about the importance of taking turbidity readings as part of drinking water treatment. However, there are certain misperceptions about the associated requirements and procedures needed to confirm the validity of those readings.
-
![900-series-monitor]( "ECI Solves MRO's Chromium Contamination Problem With 900 Series Monitor/Controllers")
ECI Solves MRO's Chromium Contamination Problem With 900 Series Monitor/ControllersCr(VI) is a regulated contaminant in drinking water because it can cause gastrointestinal, liver, and developmental toxicity in humans when ingested. A facility was unable to discharge to their POTW because the CR(VI) concentration in their wastewater stream was over the regulated discharge limit.
-
![AVT_s_EZ_Valve_and_R2M_Site_Services_ensures_the_hot_water_kept_running_at_a_UK_hospital-4]( "AVT™ EZ VALVE® And R2M Site Services Ensured The Hot Water Kept Running At UK Hospital")
AVT™ EZ VALVE® And R2M Site Services Ensured The Hot Water Kept Running At UK HospitalWhen a leak and burst was identified on LTHW (low temperature, hot water) 10” pipes in a UK hospital, turning off the water to fix the issue was not an option. The hospital needed its water supply to remain on to ensure it could continue to treat patients. Following an 18-month investigation into the issue, the hospital’s contractor Morris Mechanical Services, contacted AVT’s UK installer R2M Site Services who suggested installing a number of AVT EZ Valves to create control points enabling repairs to be made.
DRINKING WATER APPLICATION NOTES
-
Dissolved Oxygen Measurement11/11/2013
One of the most important measurements in the determination of the health of a body of water is its dissolved oxygen content. The quantity of dissolved oxygen in water is normally expressed in parts per million (ppm) by weight and is due to the solubility of oxygen from the atmosphere around us.
-
Reduce Or Eliminate Water Hammer With Valve Positioners5/19/2022
Water hammer, which can occur in just about any pumping system and even steam systems, can lead to pipe breakage, equipment damage or even total system failure. Addressing water hammer at the source is the savviest and most cost-effective way to handle the issue.
-
Flexible Expansion Joints Provide Protection For Pipelines Subject To Subtle Or Sudden Movement12/7/2020
Flex-Tend flexible expansion joints have a proven record of providing protection for pipelines subject to subtle or sudden movement. As with all products used in the water and wastewater industry, protection is optimized with the selection of the proper assembly incorporated into a sound design. This paper is intended to provide assistance in both of these areas.
-
Aquafine Ultraviolet Treatment Systems For TOC Reduction1/29/2025
Aquafine TOC reduction units coupled with ion exchange systems or EDI will oxidize trace organics into smaller ionic species, carbon dioxide and water, which are more readily removed by ion exchange resins, EDI, and/or degasifiers.
-
Irrigation Technology In Agriculture: How New Technologies Overcome Challenges1/29/2019
As the world’s population continues to increase at a fast pace, more food and water will be needed to sustain humanity. In the past 50 years, we have tripled our need for water and food, and there are no signs of this trend slowing down. As a result of these conditions, smart, innovative agricultural practices are needed now more than ever. Technology can, and already does, aid agriculture in innumerable ways. One prominent part of agriculture that can use technological innovation to increase efficiency and effectiveness is irrigation.
-
A New Way Of Designing With Reverse Osmosis Membranes7/23/2015
Process design in water treatment is historically confined to proprietary or user-defined spreadsheets on a unit operation basis, with users manually adding results from each unit process upstream into the next operation.
-
Preliminary Assessment Of Water Quality In Riviera Grise Near Port-Au-Prince, Haiti10/17/2012
The Riviera Grise drains water from the Cul-de-Sac watershed, Haiti, which covers most of the rural areas along the flood plains and areas that extend into steep hillsides. It also covers urban areas of Port-Au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti.
-
Dosing Of Sodium Hypochlorite Solution For Drinking Water Disinfection9/22/2022
A water purveyor was in urgent need of a chemically resistant flow instrumentation with a long life of service that allowed reliable and long-term stable dosing of the sodium hypochlorite solution.
-
Improved Efficiencies In TOC Wastewater Analysis For Standard Method 5310B And EPA Method 41510/16/2014Total organic carbon (TOC) measurement is of vital importance to the operation of water treatment due to organic compounds comprising a large group of water pollutants. TOC has been around for many years, and although it is a relatively simple analysis in theory, operational efficiency is paramount.
-
Ion Exchange Resins And Activated Carbons For Better-Tasting Water12/18/2013
For many, access to good-tasting tap water is limited, and buying bottled water can be expensive. Simple pour-through jug filters offer a low-cost and effective alternative. Activated carbons, in conjunction with ion exchange products, produce drinking water that is absent of all industrial pesticides and contaminants.
DRINKING WATER PRODUCTS
The ModMAG® M3000 electromagnetic flow meter is virtually unaffected by density, temperature, pressure and viscosity changes, making it an accurate and reliable long-term metering solution. This meter is approved for Class 1, Division 2 environments.
The Series 1100 MEGALUG® Mechanical Joint Restraints effectively and economically restrain Ductile Iron Pipe (DIP) to mechanical joints above or below ground, for practically any application including valves, hydrants, and pipe. For use on all classes of ductile iron pipe (PC350 through PC150 and CL56 through CL50) without damage to the pipe or cement linings. It can also be used on steel pipe and cast iron pipe when joining to mechanical appurtenances, see product brochure for more details on these pipes.
Geospace Technologies offers a complete line of AMI water meter connector cables, specifically designed and manufactured to meet the rugged requirements for in-pit, underwater applications. Geospace’s unique design ensures total moisture sealing for even the toughest underwater environments, yet they are easily re-entered for troubleshooting a transponder or for a meter swap-out.
Many submerged sensor applications require additional weight to prevent incorrect datum reference due to “cable snake.”
A comprehensive solution for water quality testing with integrated data intelligence.
The AquaDrum® Pressure Series cloth media filter is a pressurized vessel consisting of a perforated, vertically oriented drum utilizing OptiFiber® pile cloth filtration media.
LATEST INSIGHTS ON DRINKING WATER
-
![0925-Clean-Flo]( "Common Misconceptions Are Keeping Lakes \"Sick\"")
Long-held misconceptions about lake management fuel the intensity and recurrence of harmful algal blooms.
-
![waterbottles_Getty-803920286]( "AI Has A Hidden Water Cost — Here's How To Calculate Yours")
Artificial intelligence systems are thirsty, consuming as much as 500 milliliters of water — a single-serving water bottle — for each short conversation a user has with the GPT-3 version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT system. They use roughly the same amount of water to draft a 100-word email message.
-
![drought, climate change-GettyImages-2184006709]( "Megadroughts Are Here To Stay, And U.S. Water Utilities Need To Adapt")
Researchers warn that California and other states affected by megadroughts — periods of drought lasting 20+ years — will have to accept this as the new normal. That means rethinking the water cycle and finding new, more sustainable water sources. -
![coloradomountains]( "Colorado's Subalpine Wetlands May Be Producing A Toxic Form Of Mercury — That's A Concern For Downstream Water Supplies")
The wetlands found across the Rocky Mountains of Colorado just below tree line are crucial for regulating the supply of clean water from the highlands to metropolitan regions downslope, including Denver. However, new research shows the wetlands also harbor a health risk.
-
![drop of water on grid-GettyImages-1345408302]( "Water Conservation And Reuse For Data Centers")
Because of our own decades-long mismanagement of our collective global water resources, we are now facing a global freshwater crisis where the demand for freshwater is predicted to exceed its supply by 40% by the year 2030. Directly coinciding with the water crisis timeline is the growing need for data center construction in order to accommodate AI, cloud computing, and other Big Data and IoT processing. -
![grandcanyonspoke_Getty-2229310104]( "Grand Canyon's Dragon Bravo Megafire Shows The Growing Wildfire Threat To Water Systems")
As wildfire crews battled the Dragon Bravo Fire on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim in July 2025, the air turned toxic. A chlorine gas leak had erupted from the park’s water treatment facility as the building burned, forcing firefighters to pull back. The water treatment facility is part of a system that draws water from a fragile spring. The fire also damaged some of the area’s water pipes and equipment.
DRINKING WATER VIDEOS
Discover how integrated membrane system designs can maximize the operating stability of EDI systems and reduce mixed bed regeneration frequency.
In this episode of The Water Online Show: On Location, our guest is Mike Blackburn from Hach. Mike dives into the benefits of panel-mounted solutions for water quality monitoring.
This 45-minute webinar will explore the latest technology and methodologies that are transforming water management. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how real-time data analytics can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of water-loss detection and proactive management.
ABOUT DRINKING WATER
In most developed countries, drinking water is regulated to ensure that it meets drinking water quality standards. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers these standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
Drinking water considerations can be divided into three core areas of concern:
- Source water for a community’s drinking water supply
- Drinking water treatment of source water
- Distribution of treated drinking water to consumers
Drinking Water Sources
Source water access is imperative to human survival. Sources may include groundwater from aquifers, surface water from rivers and streams and seawater through a desalination process. Direct or indirect water reuse is also growing in popularity in communities with limited access to sources of traditional surface or groundwater.
Source water scarcity is a growing concern as populations grow and move to warmer, less aqueous climates; climatic changes take place and industrial and agricultural processes compete with the public’s need for water. The scarcity of water supply and water conservation are major focuses of the American Water Works Association.
Drinking Water Treatment
Drinking Water Treatment involves the removal of pathogens and other contaminants from source water in order to make it safe for humans to consume. Treatment of public drinking water is mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. Common examples of contaminants that need to be treated and removed from water before it is considered potable are microorganisms, disinfectants, disinfection byproducts, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals and radionuclides.
There are a variety of technologies and processes that can be used for contaminant removal and the removal of pathogens to decontaminate or treat water in a drinking water treatment plant before the clean water is pumped into the water distribution system for consumption.
The first stage in treating drinking water is often called pretreatment and involves screens to remove large debris and objects from the water supply. Aeration can also be used in the pretreatment phase. By mixing air and water, unwanted gases and minerals are removed and the water improves in color, taste and odor.
The second stage in the drinking water treatment process involves coagulation and flocculation. A coagulating agent is added to the water which causes suspended particles to stick together into clumps of material called floc. In sedimentation basins, the heavier floc separates from the water supply and sinks to form sludge, allowing the less turbid water to continue through the process.
During the filtration stage, smaller particles not removed by flocculation are removed from the treated water by running the water through a series of filters. Filter media can include sand, granulated carbon or manufactured membranes. Filtration using reverse osmosis membranes is a critical component of removing salt particles where desalination is being used to treat brackish water or seawater into drinking water.
Following filtration, the water is disinfected to kill or disable any microbes or viruses that could make the consumer sick. The most traditional disinfection method for treating drinking water uses chlorine or chloramines. However, new drinking water disinfection methods are constantly coming to market. Two disinfection methods that have been gaining traction use ozone and ultra-violet (UV) light to disinfect the water supply.
Drinking Water Distribution
Drinking water distribution involves the management of flow of the treated water to the consumer. By some estimates, up to 30% of treated water fails to reach the consumer. This water, often called non-revenue water, escapes from the distribution system through leaks in pipelines and joints, and in extreme cases through water main breaks.
A public water authority manages drinking water distribution through a network of pipes, pumps and valves and monitors that flow using flow, level and pressure measurement sensors and equipment.
Water meters and metering systems such as automatic meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) allows a water utility to assess a consumer’s water use and charge them for the correct amount of water they have consumed.